Herbert W. Converse

Herbert W. Converse, 80, formerly of Reading, died Saturday, May 12, 2007, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. He was the husband of Ruth J. (Batchelder) Converse.

He was born on July 13, 1926, the son of the late Herbert Lewis Converse and Isabel Ermine Ware. Mr. Converse graduated from Arlington High School in 1944. He attended Tufts University and graduated from Boston University in 1952.

Mr. Converse served in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviation cadet.

He was employed by State Street Trust Co., Harvard University, and retired as treasurer from American Mutual Liability Insurance Company after 23 years.

As a boy, Mr. Converse was active as a Boy Scout and as a youth, became an Eagle Scout. As an adult, he was in leadership positions at troop, district and council levels. He received the Silver Beaver Award.

Active in Peter Sanborn Place, which was organized and developed through the First Congregational Church, as a board member, director and president during planning, development, construction and early years of operation of the 83-unit building for the elderly.

Mr. Converse served as a deacon and treasurer over the years for the First Congregational Church. He was also a Town Meeting member and delivered for Meals on Wheels for 13 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Kenneth D. Converse of Bridgton, Maine, and David G. Converse of Hampden; seven grandchildren; a sister, Virginia L. Howells of Bourne; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also the father of the late Alan S. Converse.

Visiting hours were held from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn Street), Reading. Burial was from the funeral home at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 17, followed by a graveside service at the Forest Glen Cemetery in Reading.

A memorial service was held Thursday, May 17, at the Chapel at Brooksby Village, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody.

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Converse’s memory may be made to the Brooksby Village, Attn: Protestant Fund, c/o Brooksby Village Gift Planning Office, 300 Brooksby Village Drive, Peabody, MA 01960, or the Boy Scouts of America, Minuteman Council, 411 Unquity Road, Milton, MA 02186.